HARTFORD, CT - Connecticut Whale general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that defenseman Wade Redden has been named captain of the Whale.

Redden, a 15th-year veteran who is in his second season with the Whale, and has 994 games of NHL experience in his career, is the sixth player to wear the captain’s “C” in franchise history. He follows current Whale head coach Ken Gernander, who captained the squad for its first eight seasons in Hartford, Craig Weller, Andrew Hutchinson, Greg Moore and Dane Byers. The Whale has gone without a captain since Byers was traded by the parent New York Rangers to the Columbus Blue Jackets November 10, 2010.

Redden’s first game as Whale captain will be tomorrow, Sunday, March 4, when Connecticut visits Manchester to take on the Monarchs. Faceoff is 3:00 PM, and all the “Rockin’ Hockey” action can be heard live on “The Rock” 106.9 WCCC-FM.

The Whale are next on home ice at the XL Center this Friday night, March 9, in a GEICO Connecticut Cup game vs. the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. That game faces off at 7:00 PM, and fans can take advantage of a special food combo at every remaining Whale Friday home game, as a hot dog and a 12-ounce soda is only $5.

Tickets to all 2011-12 Whale home games are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.

Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats and mini plans, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.

The AHL’s Connecticut Whale is operated by Whalers Sports and Entertainment, a Hartford-based sports marketing and event firm founded by Howard Baldwin and Howard Baldwin, Jr.. The team is the top player-development affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Since 1972, the CT Lottery has generated nearly $21.4 billion in sales and has transferred more than $7.2 billion to the state’s General Fund. Prizes have exceeded $12.3 billion. Purchasers must be 18 years or older. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238. For more information about the Connecticut Lottery Corporation, visit ctlottery.org.